voerdoel

Voerdoel is a Dutch term used in livestock nutrition to describe the feeding target for a group or individual animals. It refers to the planned intake and composition of feed needed to meet production goals while maintaining health and body condition. The voerdoel translates into a concrete ration specification, typically expressed in terms of dry matter intake and the nutritional content (such as energy, protein, minerals and fiber) required for maintenance and production.

How it is developed and used

A voerdoel is created by animal nutritionists who consider species, age, sex, stage of production, body weight, and environmental conditions. The target reflects both maintenance needs and production demands (for example milk yield, growth or reproduction). The result is a daily feed plan that may specify the quantity of feed and its expected energy and protein levels, often indicated in standard units (energy content, crude protein percentage, etc.). Ration balancing software and feed tables are commonly used to derive a feasible voerdoel from available feeds.

Applications

Voerdoel is widely used in dairy and beef cattle, pigs, and poultry farming. It supports efficient production, cost control, and animal welfare by aligning feed supply with physiological needs. Because feed quality can vary, the voerdoel is typically reviewed and adjusted in response to changes in production, health status, or feed availability.

Monitoring

Farmers monitor actual intake, production results, and body condition to compare against the voerdoel and to refine future feeding plans. The concept is fundamental to rational feed management and optimization in modern livestock systems.

Etymology and related terms

The word combines voer (feed) and doel (goal). Related terms include ration, feed formulation, and nutritional requirements standards.